Don't be a twerp: 8 tools to help you get more from Twitter.

Twitter is a powerful tool for connecting with customers and growing your business. But getting the most out of Twitter requires more than just showing up. With the right tools, you can do more than just use Twitter. You can master it. Here’s what you need:

1. A good Twitter client. Trying to use Twitter effectively from the web interface is like taking a shower wearing a… Um… I mean, holding hands wearing mittens (hey, we try to keep it clean here at thinks). Sure, mittens work. But, it’s not near so much fun.

   TweetDeck’s multiple columns, simple search, tight integration with other tools and generally logical interface make me a Twitter Ninja. But I’ve also used Twitterific (Mac only), TwitterFox and Twhirl. TweetDeck makes me most productive, but if you need access to multiple accounts, Twhirl might be a better option for you. One caveat: Clients are limited to the number of calls they can make to Twitter in a given period, so don’t assume you’ll never need the website. So, you just might have to get used to mittens.

2. A favorite Twitter search tool. Yes, following lots of interesting people is fine. But Twitter also allows you to follow memes, themes, ideas and info-bits wending their way ’round the web. By monitoring relevant keywords for your business, you can participate in conversations with potential customers and colleagues. In this case, it’s not who you know, but what you know about them that matters.

   Twitter’s default search tool is OK, but I really like Flaptor. What they have in common that puts them above other Twitter search tools is their RSS feeds for search results. Which leads us to…

3. A solid RSS reader. I like Google Reader, but just about any will do the job. Why a reader? Because it gives you a place to collect all those search feeds you’re going to monitor, that’s why.
4. TwitPic. 140 characters? Hah! A picture is worth a thousand words, after all, so why not send a link to one that illustrates your point? TwitPic is the most common service and – as with URL shortening – is built into many Twitter clients, making posting those pics a piece of cake.
5. A good URL shortening service. With only 140 characters, space is at a premium. Personally, I like is.gd, but there are lots. Most of the clients I’ve used allow you to select your service at the time of entering the URL, which is nice.
6. A hashtag directory. What are hashtags? They’re a way Twitter users group a conversation together. ComputerWorld explains more. And you can find more at Hashtags.org.
7. Tracking tools. Twitter users are a gregarious lot, but it’s hard to track every popular theme on the service. Tracking tools like these can help:
   • Trendrr can show you terms getting lots of play on Twitter as well as on other social sites.
   • Another new discovery service worth checking out is Twittl (and, no, I don’t know where they come up with these names. Makes me wonder if I should start spelling my name as TimPeetr).
   • And newly launched service WhatTheTrend lists both memes rocketing up Twitter and what those memes mean. Even better, clicking on any given meme within WhatTheTrend shows you the most recent tweets – and tweeters – talking about that trend. A great discovery service for both people and the things those folks are talking about.
8. Places to learn. Twitter is a rapidly evolving tool. Sources like TwiTip and Mashable help smooth the rough edges by explaining that evolution to you. And, I might humbly add, we here at thinks try to look at Twitter in a business context, too.

What else helps you tame Twitter? Tell us in the comments. And keep on tweeting.

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